Does the definition of 'Force Majeure' for All Dogs Unleashed include strikes?
All_Dogs_Unleashed Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
s or may cause harm or injury to customers, employees, or animals, such as contagious diseases, natural disasters, terrorist acts, acts of violence, or any other circumstance which may materially and adversely affect the System or the goodwill symbolized by the marks.
- "Force Majeure" means acts of God (such as tornadoes, earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, fire or other natural catastrophe); strikes, lockouts or other industrial disturbances; war, terrorist acts, riot or other civil
disturbance; epidemics; or other similar forces which could not, by the exercise of reasonable diligence, have been avoided;
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 49–158)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to All Dogs Unleashed's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the definition of "Force Majeure" does include strikes. The FDD defines "Force Majeure" as events such as natural disasters, industrial disturbances including strikes and lockouts, war, terrorist acts, riots, epidemics, or other similar forces that could not be avoided with reasonable diligence.
This definition is relevant to franchisees because it outlines circumstances under which All Dogs Unleashed may excuse a franchisee's failure to meet certain obligations. However, the definition also specifies that financial inability or insolvency does not qualify as a Force Majeure event.
Additionally, if a franchisee is unable to meet the Minimum Development Obligation because of a force majeure event, including strikes, and could not have avoided the event with due diligence, the Development Periods will be extended by the amount of time the force majeure exists. However, if the force majeure continues for more than 6 months, All Dogs Unleashed may terminate the agreement with written notice.